Introduction
The Local List clearly identifies the information that we, at Somerset County Council, normally require to be able to register, assess and determine your planning applications. The level of information required depends on the size and type of the application.
Somerset County Council, as the County Planning Authority (CPA), has a statutory duty to control three categories of development within Somerset – those relating to
- mineral workings (extraction, processing and so on) like sand, gravel or clay;
- the recycling, recovery, processing or disposal of waste; and
- the County Council’s own development, including schools, fire stations and roads (known as Regulation 3).
The planning policies concerned with waste-related development undertaken in Somerset are contained in the Somerset Waste Core Strategy, which was adopted by the Council in February 2013, and planning policies relating to mineral working across Somerset are set down in the Somerset Minerals Plan Core Strategy Development Plan Document, which was adopted by the council on 18 February 2015. Our website has all the up-to-date information on Minerals and waste policies and plans.
Under Article 11 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 local authorities are required to produce lists of the information that they require to make a planning application. These are called local lists (validation checklists), and they are lists of the information required for different types of applications. Paragraph 44 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes it clear that planning authorities should only request supporting information that is relevant, necessary and material to the application and requires all planning authorities to review their validation checklists at least every two years. These points are also made in paragraphs 038 – 43 [Reference ID: 14-043-20140306] of the National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG).
Purpose of the Local List
The purpose of the Local List is to:
- Provide greater certainty to applicants about the type and extent of information required as part of their application at the earliest possible stage.
- Enable our Planning and Regulatory Committee or our planning officers to have all the information it needs to determine applications in a considered and timely manner.
- Minimise the need to request additional information from the applicant at a later stage, making the determination process more efficient.
- Ensure greater consistency in registering and validating applications submitted to us.
The Local List consists of the Introduction and Background, which includes the National Validation Requirements appropriate to all applications, and three annexes containing the local requirements for each of the development types we control.
Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) Planning Advice and forms may also be required as part of your application.
Applicants are encouraged to supply as much information upfront as possible to reduce the need for pre-commencement conditions.
Please note an application cannot be considered valid until the appropriate fee has been paid. This can be done using the Planning Portal, internal transfer (for Reg 3 applications), cheque or pay online.
Your feedback
The current Local List is clearly out of date and was adopted in 2010. It requires updating this is why there is the need for this consultation document.
We would be grateful for any comments you wish to make on the list by 1 March 2021
If you would prefer to reply by post, please send your feedback by 1 March 2021 to:
Development Management, Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY.